GDT: Still Jeff Carter's team vs Bruins at Staples Center 7:30 PM PST

[kingsboy11]

NOt any more. 70% of the rest of the season is at home, 90% in the Pacific time zone, and we have everyone but Quick for the most part. Yes, I miss Nolan, I think guys are playing banged up, etc., but one shot in the third period against a mediocre road team with a backup goalie having a bad season when we need the points to stay in the playoff race is unacceptable.

I've been carrying the positive torch all season because we were playing through a godawful schedule with many impact players injured simultaneously but we played better then than we are now. Maybe they're out of gas from all that, who knows, but they're out of alibis to even me at this point. Something has to give.

This game was my breaking point.

Same for me. I'm stubbornly optimistic at times, but even I see the writing on the wall. This team has their chances to get back into the race at the end of January and beginning of February and failed. Their record has been propped up by an obscene overtime record.

I personally don't think the roster is bad. Yeah there are areas that could use improvements like top6 left wing, 3C and top 4 D, but I still think this team is too talented to not be in a playoff position. I think a large portion of this team's lack of success is due to the under performing stars in Kopitar, Toffoli, Muzzin and Martinez with Kopitar earning the most criticism for his play.

 

[KINGS17]

Kings have lost 4 of their last 5 home games. The Kings need to be sellers but Lombardi is stubborn enough to do the opposite.

That would be disappointing because there used to be no bigger pragmatist than Dean Lombardi.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Live look in to my office after the game:

Are we underachieving? Who gave this team a shot before the season, Rocky? It was always my understanding that this was a team in a small -- a very small, albeit -- rebuild. It looks this way to me, with the promising youth and all our draft picks secured.

I think we are. We're technically still in the playoff race but fading fast. And yes, with all the handicaps we've had this year, it's a small miracle that we've been in a good position coming down the stretch...which is what makes it all the more aggravating that we're turfing all that hard work in the stretch of games where we need to make the most impact and are at what should be the best advantage we've had all season to this point.

Edit: at least Carter is clearly pissed again. He's humoring the media but he is absolutely seething.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Everything about this team has grown stale.

The only thing to look forward to is the progression of players like Forbort, Gravel, Kempe and LaDue.

Maybe Dean can take another peek at the dumpster though to find some aging vets that this team badly needs.

 

[KingTrouty]

But what exactly has DL done differently this season?

Played/called up the youngsters, assess what he has, and not done any trades for naught. And I'd be shocked if he did.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Think he cracks 10 goals this season?

If he gets his **** together, yeah, but that's what we've all been waiting for him to do.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Everything about this team has grown stale.

The only thing to look forward to is the progression of players like Forbort, Gravel, Kempe and LaDue.

Maybe Dean can take another peek at the dumpster though to find some aging vets that this team badly needs.

Yeah, that's the only small pleasure I've been able to find. Watching the youngsters, especially on D, and Drew.

 

[Reaper45]

Out hit, out talented, out played. No heavy play, no grease, no talent. Sell sell sell.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Oh boy here comes Sutter...

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Credit to Kopitar and Carter for facing the questions. Carter said they were a confident group but you could feel an undercurrent of frustration. Kopi looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.

 

[Herby]

Played/called up the youngsters, assess what he has, and not done any trades for naught. And I'd be shocked if he did.

What youngsters?

Kempe was just called up a few games ago.

There is no one else on the roster under the age of 24, it's 2017, 24 is not considered youth in today's NHL. There is no youth to assess because your hero has traded away so many picks and prospects.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Oh boy here comes Sutter...

Was exactly my thought

 

[KingTrouty]

What youngsters?

Kempe was just called up a few games ago.

There is no one else on the roster under the age of 24. There is no youth to assess because your hero has traded away so many picks and prospects.

Kempe, LaDue, Forbort, Gravel, Dowd.

In terms of hockey years (i.e. NHL games played), son, pretty damn young.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Sutter in short:
Can't chase leads.
Top end needs to make sure they're not chasing leads.

 

[KINGS17]

LOL. What a garbage dump in by Kopitar.

Garbage season by Kopitar, proceeded by garbage contract.

 

[Little Psycho]

Sell sell sell

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kempe, LaDue, Forbort, Gravel, Dowd.

In terms of hockey years, son, pretty damn young.

Only three of them have been here all season. How do you explain the **** show from everyone else?

This team isn't in a hole due to inexperience, they're in this position because the likes of Kopitar, Gaborik, Muzzin, Martinez, Toffoli, even Doughty are all playing well below expectations.

This team as a whole is underachieving.

 

[Herby]

Kempe, LaDue, Forbort, Gravel, Dowd.

In terms of hockey years, son, pretty damn young.

No, actually not. Dowd turns 27 this year, Ladue, Forbort and Gravel all turn 25. Those are prime years, not developing years.

 

[KingTrouty]

Only three of them have been here all season. How do you explain the **** show from everyone else?

This team isn't in a hole due to inexperience, they're in this position because the likes of Kopitar, Gaborik, Muzzin, Martinez, Toffoli, even Doughty are all playing well below expectations.

This team as a whole is underachieving.

I don't disagree with anything here, Ziggy. Nor have I been arguing against any of this.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

There is nothing wrong with that roster, other than goaltending. Doesn't explain ineptness on offense.

ha really eh

Toffoli and Carter are our only purest goal scorers

then we have Kopitar and Pearson

who else?

last time i checked, a top 6 requires 6 players

no other kings player is top 6

and really, on paper our top 6 looks like this:

XXX - Kopitar - XXX
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

those are two huge holes in my opinion

if you see something i fail to see in the rest of the players on the Kings, either explain in detail or pass me whatever you're smoking

 

[KingTrouty]

No, actually not. Dowd turns 27 this year, Ladue, Forbort and Gravel all turn 25. Those are prime years, not developing years.

Ninja edit clarified my post further, I felt (and I was right) that you wouldn't understand without further clarification.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Sell sell sell

 

[KINGS17]

Oh, I don't know, maybe the 30 posts or so I have in this thread. Cmon man, if you're gonna be "the smartest in the room," understand the poster you're replying to.

I understand I am being realistic. Just as I was before Kopitar got his 8 years and $80M.

In the NHL if you aren't on the verge of contending or contending, you should be selling and reloading, or restocking. Dean failed to recognize this team's window was closing. There would have been no shame in taking the great three year run, admitting it was over and getting the table set for the next one.

 

[damacles1156]

Kopitar's last 10GP

0G 3A 3P -7

If it takes firing Sutter to change Kopitar around then do it, cause this Franchise is doomed for the next seven years with Kopitar playing like this.

Something has to be done.

 

[Face Wash]

#WaiveGaborik